A new entry level notebook has surfaced earlier this month. The Acer Aspire E5-575-33BM was launched to refresh the Aspire E 15 series with the new 7th generation i3 processor from Intel, as well as to integrate a couple of new features.
Review
The Acer Aspire E5-575-33BM 15.6″ laptop is a pleasant surprise, considering the value you get for a $350 device (price available at the time this review was written). Similar to another recently launched model, the Aspire ES1-572-31KW I’ve covered in a review not so long ago, this laptop is one of the best deals out there when it comes to affordable mobile computing.
Performance
Equipped with the latest in processor technology, the Acer Aspire E5-575-33BM will surely exceed your daily use expectations. Not very unlike its predecessor, the Intel Core i3-7100U is an update to the popular 6100U model so many entry to mid range laptops feature nowadays.
The new Kaby Lake processor has two cores, a base frequency of 2.4 GHz and 3 megabytes of SmartCache, making it the ideal CPU to use for light, everyday tasks around the house or the office. Its performance ratings sit between the Celeron series and the i5 mobile processors, closer to the latter in terms of pure processing power and power consumption.
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Default system memory is rated at 4 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM, a new standard that allows for much faster transfer speeds. Multitasking won’t be an issue, nor will opening multiple browser tabs, as well as handling moderate data sets. Should you want the best performance, I’d suggest expanding it.
It’s good to know you’ll be able to upgrade the memory up to 16 gigabytes (8GB x 2) of RAM, should you need to. However, I would advise against going for the maximum amount and just buying an additional 4GB stick to double the factory standard RAM. This is a less pricey option, and one that’ll give out the best return of investment, since 16 gigs is overkill in my opinion. Be sure to check if your laptop has a free memory slot first and foremost.
Storage space is really adequate for an entry level notebook. The Acer Aspire E5-575-33BM comes with a 1 terabyte 5400-rpm hard disk drive, enough to hold entire media collections or all your photos from your vacations and then some. It’s not as fast as an SSD, but you can replace the HDD with a 2.5″ solid state drive at any time in the future to further speed up the system.
Graphics and Display
The Acer Aspire E5-575-33BM has only an integrated graphics card, the Intel HD Graphics 620. Gaming on this laptop will be difficult, especially in the case of newer titles. Casual gaming is OK since the Acer will run MMOs, TBS games and RTS games at moderate settings with decent frame rates.
The 15.6 inch screen features a full HD display with Acer ColorBlast technology. This is yet another surprise from Acer, fitting a FHD display inside an already feature packed notebook. It’s no IPS panel though, limiting the viewing angles and the vividness of colors. Still, having a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels on such an affordable device is noteworthy.
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Interface Options
When deciding what ports to include, the Acer team went for the whole nine yards. It has both next-gen I/O options, as well as a backwards compatibility we only see in units designed as desktop replacements. The available ports are:
1 x USB-C port- 1 x USB 3.0 port
- 1 x USB 2.0 port
- 1 x HDMI-out port
- 1 x VGA
- 1 x Audio Combo Jack
- 1 x RJ-45
- 1 x SD Card Reader
- 1 x DVD-Writer
Networking
The Acer Aspire E5-575-33BM is equipped with the latest protocol in wireless technology. It features a 802.11ac dual band (2×2) MU-MIMO wireless card. Not only will the speeds be better, but also you’ll experience less lag and stutter when gaming online or when streaming video thanks to the MU-MIMO technology, if you connect to a compatible router that is.
Also, there is Bluetooth 4.1 available and a 10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN option via the RJ-45 connector.
All these options, including the available ports make the Acer an ideal inexpensive desktop replacement or home multimedia center.
Portability and Battery Life
The Acer weighs 5.3 pounds, so it’s not the lightest laptop to take around with you on your trips. However, considering the massive 6-cell 2800mAh Li-Ion battery pack will hold a charge for up to 12 hours, you’ll be able to carry it to work or to a coffee shop or even to longer trips where you won’t need to charge it once, since the charger further adds weight to the whole package.
It’s not a quintessential travel companion, but you can easily shove it in a backpack and go to college classes with it without breaking your back in the process. Still, I think the Acer Aspire E5-575-33BM will feel at home…at home, where sitting on the couch working or going upstairs don’t require your device to be featherweight.
Conclusion
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All in all, the Acer Aspire E5-575-33BM is a great entry level laptop that comes equipped with better components that what’s dictated by the price bracket. Also, it has plenty of useful features and options to make your life easier, whether at home, at work or at college. Considering the $350 MSRP price tag, I think the Acer is a must-have if you are looking for an affordable, yet not cheaply made device.
